Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Students at Mary R. Tisko Elementary School in Branford had a special ice cream breakfast this morning because a local family wanted to give back to an organization that did something special for them. (Published Wednesday, April 10, 2013)

Students at Mary R. Tisko Elementary School in Branford had a special ice cream breakfast this morning because a local family wanted to give back to an organization that did something special for them.

The ice cream for breakfast fundraiser was held to benefit the "Give the Kids the World Village" organization, which helps send children with life-threatening illnesses on dream vacations.

The organization sent Christie Moriarty, a first grader, and her family free of charge on a fantasy vacation to Florida and the Moriartys wanted to do something to give back.

"My daughter Christie, she was born with Spina Bifida and she's unable to walk and her kidneys are affected," Kevin Moriarty, Christie’s father, said. "All my kids wanted to do something when they came back and this is something fun to enjoy and everybody loves ice cream."

During the fundraiser, students presented a dollar and then received a bowl of ice cream or fruit as an alternative.

Then, the students were shown a special video explaining how their donations help children.

"It makes me feel really good because they're donating stuff," said Christie’s brother, Peyton Moriarty, who also attends the school.

He hopes the fundraiser will teach his classmates more about kids with disabilities and just what a fun family-getaway means to a child facing a life-threatening illness.

"She got do fun things when she doesn't usually get to do that," Peyton said. "It's a great place and if you have someone with a disability, go there. It'll make your family feel really good."